Lake Tahoe snow coming down by the foot

By Kathryn Reed

A cold storm is lingering throughout much of Northern California and Northern Nevada this morning, with more snow coming down in the mountains and foothills and rain in the much lower elevations.

In Tahoe-Donner on the North Shore, residents tell Lake Tahoe News they have 18 inches of white stuff.

Snow keeps falling around Lake Tahoe. Photo/Brenda Knox

In the Tahoe Keys area of South Lake Tahoe about 9 inches greeted those needing to start their workday.

Off of Elk’s Club road in El Dorado County, about 13 inches fell. As of just after 8am, the plows still had not been out there.

AAA is reporting 18 inches at its office in Carson City.

Most schools are closed in and around the Lake Tahoe Basin, including Carson City and Reno. The one exception is Lake Tahoe Community College – it’s open.

Highway 50 was closed this morning at Placerville for people trying to get to Tahoe. Spinouts are the problem. Interstate 80 has been closed off and on. Highway 89 is closed going around Emerald Bay. Be sure to check the road conditions on Lake Tahoe News’ Home page.

All El Dorado County offices are closed.

For those commuting between the Carson Valley and South Shore, Highway 50 is well plowed for those heading west. About 3-inch ruts are on the road going into the valley.

The visibility is about 100 yards on Spooner Summit. The snow is blowing horizontally. They are expecting 70mph gusts, with one driver saying she believes the forecast is accurate. The only good thing is not many people are on the highway.

It took one commuter about 30 minutes to get from South Lake Tahoe to Zephyr Point – twice the usual amount of time.

If you’re flying out of Reno-Tahoe International Airport today, call first. Some flights have been canceled. Flights got out early this morning and at 8:30am plows were on the runway.

Snow is being reported in Modesto, on the Altamont Pass (1,009 feet), and the mountains around the Bay Area.

Another foot of white stuff could fall at lake level before the day is done. More storms are lined up to keep striking the Sierra this week. Temperatures are super cold – not getting much higher than freezing as a high, with single digits for the lows.